Latest news with #founderled
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Signal Rock Capital Launches to Invest in Lower Middle-Market Industrial, Consumer, and Healthcare Service Companies
Firm targets control investments in essential service and manufacturing businesses with $2–$30 million in revenue and $1–$3 million in EBITDA. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., July 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Signal Rock Capital, a private investment firm built to partner with gritty, founder-led companies in overlooked corners of the economy, has officially launched operations. Co-founded by Sam Hafermann and Grant Husted, Signal Rock focuses on buying and building essential businesses across four core verticals: B2B Industrial – Distribution, manufacturing, fire & life safety, pest control, commercial towing, and landscaping. Infrastructure Services – OSHA consulting, paving & striping, backflow prevention, traffic control, loading dock maintenance, and tree trimming. Consumer Services – Vacation rental maintenance, health & wellness, and 4-wall consumer. Healthcare Services – Outsourced MRI, scanning, and diagnostic testing. The firm targets control investments in companies generating $2–$30 million in revenue and $1–$3 million in EBITDA. "We started Signal Rock to be the kind of investor we'd want if we were in the owner's shoes," said Hafermann. "No spreadsheets-for-brains. No three-year flip plans. Just a real partnership — grounded in trust, long-term thinking, and a deep respect for what it takes to build something that matters to its customers." Before founding Signal Rock, Hafermann and Husted worked together at L2 Capital, a family office based in Devon, PA and Miami, FL with a 4x realized track record since 2010. The two founding partners have led or supported more than 30 transactions across the industrial, niche manufacturing, and business service sectors. sig•nal rock noun: A fixed structure with a powerful light used to guide ships safely to shore. Calm, visible, and dependable in stormy conditions. Signal Rock is named after coastal lighthouses that guide ships through chaos — reliable markers in moments of uncertainty. That's the firm's aspiration: to be steady in the storm and deeply embedded in the journey. About Signal Rock: Signal Rock Capital is a principal investment firm focused on acquiring and growing founder-led industrial, specialized service, manufacturing, and four-wall consumer businesses. The firm is currently evaluating several platform opportunities and is actively meeting with owner-operators seeking growth, succession, or a thoughtful recap. The firm brings operational horsepower, flexible structuring, and long-term alignment to every potential transaction. To learn more, visit Media Inquiries: press@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Signal Rock Capital Sign in to access your portfolio
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
I Raised $150M With No Banker. What It Taught Me About Private Credit
Inefficient offline workflows destroying value for private market investors Good times are rolling in private credit. But try raising $150 million without a banker and you'll see just how broken the process still is. That was me. No advisor. No placement agent. Just a thesis, a spreadsheet trail, and a team crazy enough to take it on. What started as a founder-led fundraise turned into a case study in inefficiency. Weekslong gaps. Duplicate diligence requests. Disconnected timelines. It wasn't just painful—it was telling. Despite clean data and operator experience, the system buckled under its own weight. What should've been a streamlined capital deployment became a fragmented slog. And it drove one thing home: The private markets aren't short on capital. They're short on Process Is Broken Private credit isn't slowing down. Global AUM crossed $1.7 trillion in 2024 and is on pace to hit $2.8 trillion by 2028, according to Preqin. It's grown into a cornerstone of capital formation—across software, infrastructure, services, and beyond. But the tech stack hasn't kept up. Before founding Arc, I was on the other side—sitting on deal teams at a multi-billion dollar PE fund. Whether the check size was $50 million or $2 billion, it was always the same: three people, same templates, same war room drama. It worked—until it didn't. When I became a borrower, the inefficiencies were even more stark. Everything was offline, redundant, and painfully manual. I'd send over polished data rooms and still get follow-up requests asking for the same numbers in a different format. We'd tick and tie the same metrics across half a dozen spreadsheets—then walk through it all again on a diligence call. The back and forth was endless. And none of it made the underwriting smarter. It just made it slower. That's not just annoying. It's a fundamental the AI-Native Deal Team This model is finally starting to crack. We're seeing the rise of AI-native deal teams—leaner, faster, and infinitely more scalable. No headcount arms race. No marathon in data rooms. Just AI-powered execution. And in an increasingly competitive private credit market, speed and efficiency has never been more important. At Arc, we built infrastructure designed for this reality. Our system reads Excel models, calculates leverage, maps covenants, and flags inconsistencies—with ~3x the precision of general-purpose LLMs. No hallucinations. No skipped steps. Just auditable, compounding intelligence. It's the system I wish I had when I was in the bullpen—and what I desperately needed when raising. And now, a $10M deal and a $500M deal run on the same rails. Analysts focus on insights. Lenders get signal, not noise. Capital moves faster. Everyone Analyst, Reimagined This isn't just a workflow upgrade. It's a role redefinition. In the AI-native stack, analysts aren't note-takers. They're systems operators. The best ones today aren't necessarily ex-Ivy bankers. They're people who know how to translate messy data into clean judgment. Less clipboard. More command center. We've seen one great analyst, equipped with the right tools, outperform an entire deal team. They're not just working faster—they're delivering alpha. They're upstream of the Smart Firms Are Doing Now The most forward-thinking funds aren't talking about this. They're already doing it. Diligence cycles compressed from three weeks to three days. Post-close monitoring that flags borrower stress before it hits the financials. Less time spent spreading financials. More time spent structuring deals. And they're not overengineering it. They're deploying infrastructure that works. They're treating analysts like multipliers, not expense lines. They see data as a compounding asset, not a static Infrastructure Era My fundraise wasn't fun. But it was revealing. The friction wasn't a fluke. It was systemic. Private markets are sitting on trillions in dry powder—but they're bottlenecked by brittle workflows, disconnected systems, and diligence cycles stuck in 2012. The winners of this next chapter won't be defined by AUM. They'll be defined by how quickly and intelligently they move capital. This is the infrastructure era—and it's just getting started. At Arc, we're not just watching the shift happen. We're building the rails. We built Arc Capital Markets to address both sides of this problem: it's now the largest B2B debt marketplace for middle-market companies, giving borrowers a faster, more transparent way to access capital. And on the other side, we developed agentic AI systems to help private credit funds and banks underwrite with precision—so they can scale volume without sacrificing quality. It's the future of private markets—and it's already in motion.
Forbes
28-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How Founders Are Using Substack To Build Real Connection
Founder of Crown Affair and "Take Your Time" Substack, Dianna Cohen, Photo Credit: Vanessa Granda The rise of founder-led Substacks isn't just another content trend — it's reshaping how brands communicate. I started noticing the shift last summer. Then came the on-point predictions: Emily Sundberg of FeedMe noted, 'We will see more brands trying out Substack this year,' echoed by Rachel Carten's 'Here Come the Brands' and Coco Mocoe's take that brands are headed to Substack. The momentum hasn't slowed. Every time I went to hit publish on this piece, new brands joined the movement. 'Substack has found success because it offers what people have been craving: community,' shares the (anonymous) founder of People, Brands And Things.'Unlike mainstream social media, it thrives on creativity and niche interests. It's a refreshing departure from data-driven content.' In a world where organic reach is shrinking and attention spans are short, Substack gives founders something rare: a direct line to an audience that chooses to hear from them. No middlemen. Just unfiltered insight, behind-the-scenes stories, and real connection with superfans. Photo Credit: PEOPLE BRANDS AND THINGS With over 5 million paid subscriptions across newsletters and podcasts, Substack has become the new group chat for brand builders: a space for storytelling, industry hot takes, and content that humanizes the business. And the best part? Readers opt in. Unlike other platforms where brands are building on 'rented' land, Substack offers something more stable: ownership. Founders control the narrative, enjoy full creative freedom, and maintain access to their subscriber list. Substack has remained ad-free, relying on its subscription-driven model where creators keep 90% of paid revenue. For founders in fashion, beauty, and consumer goods, Substack is where you go deep — without the noise of algorithms or ads. It also serves as a content playground to spark delight for the engaged consumer. Inspired to join the movement? Let's get into it. One thing to know, right from the jump: don't consider launching a Substack as another promotional channel. This is a place to showcase your personality as a founder, while doubling as a portal to immerse consumers in the brand world you are building. These might be newsletters, but they don't follow the same rules as traditional email marketing. It's about the long game and longer-form, text-first content. Instead of chasing fast metrics, Substack is an intentional way for a founder or team member to connect with audiences. It's about three Cs: Connection. Consistency. Community. It's also about meeting true fans where they're at. Another disclaimer: don't jump in just because it's trending. Loyal fans and Substack readers looking for deeper dives into a brand world can sniff out when something is done strictly as a marketing play. Substack only works when it feels like a natural extension of your brand. In the case of Crown Affair (Dianna Cohen), Set Active (Lindsey Carter), and Megababe (Katie Sturino), their founders have leaned into Substack to spark joy, offer transparency, foster community, and give super fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their brands. I spoke with these founders, as well as Christina Loff, Substack's head of lifestyle partnerships, and the founder of People, Brands And Things, about how to navigate the platform as founders while remaining authentic and unsubscribing from marketing gimmicks. Christina Loff puts it best: "The most successful brand Substacks feel personal. They bring value, care about community, and share with intention." This is where niche communities can thrive. Loff cites Clare Vivier's 'La Vie De Clare V' (founder of Clare V), Somsack Sikhounmuong's 'Somstack' (creative director at Alex Mill), and Melanie Masarin's 'Night Shade' (founder of Ghia) as standout examples. "People don't want to be marketed to. They come to Substack for authenticity and connection." Thinking of starting your own? Here are some factors to keep in mind: 1- Share, Don't Sell Substack thrives as a platform for inspiration and connection. 'Don't come to Substack to sell,' Loff advises. 'Come to understand your community, share meaningfully, and stay consistent.' She adds, 'Make it a space for original content — something readers can't get from your social feed.' This isn't transactional. It's intimate. It's a way of pulling back the proverbial curtain to see the founder's thoughts. It's also where fans connect with the founder behind the brand, from the quirks, the creative spark. 'Think more about your brand's ethos than your product,' adds the founder of People, Brands And Things. 'Let that lead the way and guide your content.' Dianna Cohen's Take Your Time is a powerful example: Crown Affair's ethos doubles as the name of Cohen's newsletter. 'Substack is a special place on the internet that allows me to dive deep into my inspirations — both personally and behind the brand or product,' Cohen explains. Her newsletter blends Crown Affair's DNA with personal inspiration: from an ode to Jim Henson to the magic of mood boarding. These long-form reflections wouldn't fit elsewhere, but they shine on Substack. "The Magic of Moodboarding," Photo Credit: "Take Your Time", Crown Affair 'It doesn't feel like a sales pitch,' says the founder of People, Brands And Things. 'It's an intimate, inspiring extension of Crown Affair. One standout piece — The Magic of Mood Boarding — pulls back the curtain on how Cohen built Crown Affair's visual world. Equal parts educational and inspiring, it enhances appreciation for the brand and its visual universe, without ever veering into promotional territory. As the founder of People, Brands And Things shares: 'Given this unique environment, brands must be thoughtful and cautious when launching their own Substacks. Brands should tap into content amplifying the 'brand world' they are creating and view their Substack as an extension of that world — an avenue for building community through long-form writing.' Incorporating a founder's thoughts and inspiration, as well as their brand, is a delicate dance — one that toes the line between authentically sharing versus selling. 2- Build Community Lindsey Carter (Set Active) uses her Substack to preview launches, share business decisions, and reflect on founder life. Her Substack is positioned as the "front-row seat to Set," bringing readers into the fold before news hits the larger community. Carter also published a post detailing the brand's marketing strategy, attracting marketers and industry professionals alongside Set fans. 'This approach attracts a new audience outside of Set's immediate community. And it's smart,' notes the founder of People, Brands And Things. 'I use Substack to genuinely connect with people. I love human connection and can't help but be unapologetically myself. Substack is the opportunity to be creative at the intersection of both of those things.' It's what creates real connection between Carter and her Set community — and she wouldn't have it any other way. As Loff adds, 'Launching any new platform takes effort, but Substack offers a unique space to tell your brand's story in a more authentic, narrative-driven way that doesn't feel like traditional marketing. This can help build a genuine connection with your audience.' Katie Sturino's Lobby Coffee is a masterclass in using the Chat feature, with her book club series and real-time conversations surrounding topics like body positivity and divorce. 'Chat is a smart way to engage your community on Substack,' Loff adds. 'It provides access to people in a way you just can't get on social media. And oftentimes, the community connects with one another in really lovely ways.' 'Community is at the core of everything I do. I truly exist to serve my community,' Sturino shares. 'Body Talk: The Course was a chance to go deeper with each chapter of my book. We did multiple live Zooms together, where our paid subscribers could go deeper. This type of closed community where we can chat 1:1 is one of the reasons I love Substack. It allows readers to engage with others in a non-public space, so there's a sense of safety.' Over at 'Take Your Time,' Cohen launched a multi-week series tied to The Artist's Way, offering her paid subscribers a space to share progress and hold themselves accountable — a blend of book club and creative workshop. 3- Offer Timeliness and Relevance Substack gives founders the agility to respond to cultural moments, current events, or evolving audience moods in real time. Take Cohen's viral posts around New Year's: her newsletter on manifesting and 'What To Release & Carry Into 2025' wasn't about product. It reflected the mood, the mindset, and the lifestyle Crown Affair champions. When wildfires hit Los Angeles at the start of this year, both Set and Crown Affair addressed it directly. These weren't press releases — they were thoughtful updates that grounded the brands in the moment. And when Set and Parke's preorder for their collaboration sold out too quickly, Carter didn't spin it. She posted a sincere apology on Substack, owning the hiccup and further humanizing her leadership. Vulnerability like that builds trust. More tips to keep in mind: Cohen offers this reminder: 'Just start! You never know what your audience will resonate with, so start sharing what's inspiring to you — they'll let you know what they connect with most over time. Also, if you feel intimidated because you don't have an audience just yet, the north star I always go back to is this: of the people you reach, how many do you move? That's what I'm working towards these days. Making content that inspires.'
